Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	$ (101)	$ (6)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	18
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income		17
Comprehensive (loss) income	(101)	11
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17	19
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(118)	(8)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	198	20
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	2	(18)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(4)	4
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(2)
Other comprehensive income	(2)	(16)
Comprehensive (loss) income	196	4
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	196	4
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(118)	(25)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	18
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income		17
Comprehensive (loss) income	(118)	(8)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(118)	(8)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(118)	(25)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	18
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income		17
Comprehensive (loss) income	(118)	(8)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(118)	(8)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(6)	33
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income	2	(1)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(4)	32
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(4)	32
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(57)	(9)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax
Comprehensive (loss) income	(57)	(9)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17	19
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (74)	$ (28)